Month: December 2016

Polar Bear SwimNeed a quick refresher to start off your New Year? If so, the annual Polar Bear Swim is just for you! Gather on the beautiful beaches of English Bay with thousands of locals and visitors to welcome the New Year with a plunge into the cold ocean water. Register now!

Date: January 1stLocation: English BayTime: 2:30pm-3:30pm

PuSh FestivalThe PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is one of the most anticipated events throughout the year. With exhibitions and performances from local and international artists, you can count on having a splendid time with friends and family. Click here for tickets!

Date: January 16th – 21stLocations and Times: Various locations, click here for more information.

Vancouver International Boat ShowFor 5 days in January, join fellow boat enthusiasts for the Vancouver International Boat Show! Spend a day at Granville Island to see the Floating Show, and then head over to BC Place to look at some more spectacular boats! Click here for information regarding tickets.

Vancouver Chilly ChaseStart your New Year with the Vancouver Chilly Chase! There are 4 distances to choose from, so grab your pair of runners and get ready for a great run around the Downtown Vancouver Seawall!

Date: January 22ndLocation: Seawall behind Creekside Community Recreation CentreTime: Times may vary depending on the distances, click here for more information!

Jump into 2017! The annual Polar Bear Swim is happening on January 1st, 2017 at English Bay Beach. Ring in the New Year with a refreshing and chilly plunge into the ocean with thousands of other brave “polar bears!”

The very first Polar Bear Swim happened in 1920, and since then it has become a Vancouver tradition to take a sobering dip into the ocean to celebrate the first day of the year. Founder Peter Pantages led the first swim with just a group of 10 people. This year, an estimated 2,550 people will take the icy cold challenge. It doesn’t matter if it’s your 57th time or your first time braving the Pacific Ocean; the Polar Bear Swim is open to all. Don’t forget to dress up in a fancy/funny costume!

Whether you’re participating as a “polar bear” or just watching the spectacle, make sure to add the Polar Bear Swim to your New Year’s Day itinerary. It’s a must see!

Is the cold winter chill putting a damper on your Christmas spirit? Have no fear; the Vancouver Trolley Company has the perfect remedy! The Karaoke Christmas Lights tour is your ultimate Christmas experience around the city, making stops at Stanley Park’s Bright Night Displays and Van Dusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights. However that’s not all, the trolleys will be festively decorated and equipped with karaoke machines for you to show off your vocal chords!

Tours will depart from Canada Place every evening at 6:30pm until December 29th with the exception of Christmas day. Upon pick up, you will merrily make your way through downtown Vancouver before arriving at Stanley Park. After taking some time to take in the lights, the tour will continue through local light displays before arriving at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens. Not only will you feel the warmth of the holidays radiating through you, your trolley guide is there to entertain and to make sure no song request is left unheard.

The magic of dazzling light displays and the joy of singing your favourite carols at the top of your lungs is guaranteed to put anyone in the best of moods. Additionally, a donation to the Burn Fund is included in each ticket purchased. This tour is by reservation only please visit the website for more details and to book your seats today!

With the temperature cooling down to single digits and lights hanging from the trees that line the streets of Vancouver, you can see that the holiday season is just around the corner. Whether you’re visiting for a vacation or a local Vancouverite, there are always new places to discover for holiday shopping! We have compiled a list of places to check out in the Greater Vancouver area that will surely help you knock a few items off your shopping lists!

Malls

Pacific CentreSince its opening in 1971, Pacific Centre provides its shoppers with a comfortable shopping experience as it spans for 4 blocks and is completely underground! Vancouver can be a little rainy and snowy during the cold winter season, so this is a great place to go for a little heat and shopping. Make sure you check out some of their notable department stores, The Bay and Nordstrom!

Park Royal Shopping CentreLocated in the North Shore, Park Royal has been operating for more than 60 years! With over 280 stores and services within the mall, you won’t be disappointed with their selections. We suggest checking out the stores before or after visiting some attractions such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain!

McArthurGlen Designer OutletsAre you in a hurry to pick up a few things before catching your flight? Luckily for you, McArthurGlen is the newest and closest shopping outlet to the airport. With brands such as Nike and Coach, you’ll get the best deals in town. Don’t forget to also stop by their food court, it is loaded with a variety of new and interesting foods to try (ever heard of a churro sandwich?)!

Robson StreetOne of the busiest shopping districts in Vancouver, Robson Street offers a great selection of stores and local boutiques. While you’re walking down Robson Street, make sure to check out the beautifully decorated trees and different restaurants.

Granville StreetJust a few blocks from the Vancouver Lookout, Granville Street is the perfect place to visit for some Christmas shopping! Not only does this shopping district offer access to Pacific Centre, it also holds the name as one of the most popular entertainment districts in Downtown Vancouver. It’s never a dull moment on Granville Street!

GastownGastown is one of the oldest parts of our city and acts as one of the best places for souvenir shopping! As you walk down historic Gastown, you will see many local boutiques, art museums, and restaurants. Make sure you walk all the way down to visit the statue of Gassy Jack, the man who built the first bar in Vancouver.

Christmas Markets

Vancouver Christmas MarketThe Vancouver Christmas Market will be celebrating its 7th year at Jack Poole Plaza! This German-inspired market is a great place to visit while you’re in the downtown area. It is easily accessible by public transit (5 minute walk from Waterfront Station) and is kid friendly as well. If you’re already in the Christmas spirit, make sure to ride the Christmas Carousel and browse through the different vendors now!

Enchant: Christmas Light Maze & MarketDecorated with over 55 000 square ft. of sculptures and lights, Enchant is the world’s largest Christmas light maze. Besides its amazing light maze, there will also be over 50 vendors and food trucks, entertainment, and great photo opportunities. Grab a couple a friends and head over now – tickets are selling out fast!

Looking to get in the holiday spirit? Our city is filled with beautiful Christmas light displays to get you in that holiday mood and enjoy some wonderful sights during the most wonderful time of the year!

Light Walk at Grouse Mountain

If you’re looking to head to the mountains this winter season, make sure to stop by Grouse Mountain’s beautiful light walk. Walk among the fur and spruce trees covered in snow for this truly magical light display. Located just beside the mountaintop skating pond, this display is open at dusk every evening.

Looking for some thrill to go with your Christmas light viewing? Take a trip to Canyon lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park! From now until January 8th, the entire park is lit up with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. A wonderful family activity, canyon lights is a must see this holiday season!

Where: 3735 Capilano Rd, North VancouverWhen: Daily, 9:00am-10:00pm

Enchant Christmas Light Maze and Market

Visit the world’s largest Christmas light maze at Enchant! Located near the Olympic Village, this holiday event also features a market with over 40 local venders as well as 12 food trucks to enjoy a wonderful meal. Buy tickets online to avoid any disappoint of missing out on the fun.

Where: W 1st Ave & Crowe St, VancouverWhen: Daily, 4:00-10:00pm

Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park

Visit Vancouver’s favourite park this holiday season and check out Bright Nights in Stanley Park. Take a ride on the train and check out the beautiful light displays, all set to live music. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. This great attraction is open until January 1st.

Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, VancouverWhen: Check their website for full list.

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Head over to VanDusen to check out their wonderful garden light display. With over a million lights, they boast the biggest holiday light display in the city! Open from now until January 2nd, this is a light display that is sure to dazzle all!

This Christmas you won’t have to lose sleep wondering whether or not you’ve made Santa’s naughty or nice list, ask him yourself over breakfast! Taking time out of his busy schedule up in the North Pole Father Christmas himself is headed to Grouse Mountain to entertain guests from far and wide.

Enjoy the most important meal of the day with Santa while partaking in activities such as face painting and a magic show. However that’s not all! The purchase of admission to breakfast with Santa also includes a round trip Skyride on the gondola and access to all of the Peak of Christmas festivities.

The Peak of Christmas is a popular annual tradition that includes a plethora of different activities and adventures that will keep the family busy from morning till night. After breakfast with Santa go meet his reindeer or visit the Gingerbread village, then go ice skating under the stars, before finally strolling through the Light Walk and taking in the dazzling light tunnel and lanterns. There is no shortage of festive fun up on Grouse Mountain, so bring the family and create wonderful new memories that will surely keep you warm this holiday season!